Acton Criminal Defense Lawyer

Whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges in Acton, Massachusetts, you need a tough, smart criminal defense attorney representing you.  Attorney Chris Spring practices only criminal defense law in Massachusetts and has done so for 15 years.  For an experienced Acton criminal defense lawyer, call Attorney Chris Spring today at (617) 513-9444.

Attorney Spring is:

• A former Middlesex County assistant district attorney;
• The owner of a criminal law practice for fifteen years; and
• Available to his clients evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Contact Spring & Spring today to schedule your appointment with Attorney Chris Spring.  You will speak with Attorney Spring himself, not an associate attorney or legal assistant.

How Can an Acton Criminal Defense Attorney Help My Case?

When deciding if you need a criminal defense attorney to help with your case, there are some key points to remember.  When you retain an experienced Acton criminal defense attorney, like Attorney Chris Spring, you get a fighter who:

• Has intimate knowledge of the local and state criminal policies, procedures, and laws;
• Can discuss your charges in a way you can easily understand and explain any consequences that may follow a plea;
• Correctly files all necessary motions and court documents to advance your defense strategy;
• Will not allow the Commonwealth to take advantage of you;
• Will stand beside you throughout the entire criminal process;
• Can save you time and money in the long run; and
• Will speak with you about any aspects of your case, legal and personal.

Call Attorney Spring to schedule your consultation today and learn more about how he can work for and with you to provide the best defense possible in your criminal defense matter.  Your first meeting is always free, and any fees are explained clearly in advance.

The Criminal Process

The criminal justice system is intimidating and frightening to defendants for a good reason.  The legal language used in the courtroom and on legal paperwork is often unfamiliar, and a defendant does not always know if he or she is making the correct choices.  The following is only a brief outline of the criminal process; an Acton criminal defense attorney can explain each step in more detail.

• Arraignment.  The criminal process begins with an arraignment.  This is an open proceeding where the defendant enters a plea of not guilty to all charges.  The judge sets or denies bail and might impose conditions of release;
• Pretrial Conference.  A pretrial conference takes place between the defense attorney and prosecutor.  The two attorneys sign a pretrial conference report that is submitted to the court.  This report outlines each party’s obligations during the discovery process;
• Discovery.  The parties exchange evidence for use at trial.  If the defendant is asserting a mental health defense (or other affirmative defense), the prosecutor is notified;
• Compliance and Election Hearing(s).  These are hearings to ensure the parties meet discovery obligations;
• Motion Hearings.  Motion hearings to dismiss the case or suppress evidence follow the completion of discovery;
• Plea and sentencing hearings.  The attorneys evaluate any evidence that remains after the suppression hearing.  Based on the strength of the evidence, the defendant either: pleads out and accepts a sentence; or decides to move to trial; and
• Trial.  There is either a jury trial or a bench trial (a trial before the judge alone).  The Commonwealth must prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If the Commonwealth does not prove its case, the defendant walks free.  If the defendant is found guilty, the judge imposes a sentence.

Areas of Criminal Law

In Massachusetts, a crime is either a misdemeanor or a felony.  A misdemeanor does not carry the possibility of state prison time.  The maximum sentence for a misdemeanor is two and a half years in the House of Correction.

A felony in Massachusetts is punishable by state prison time of up to life in prison.  If a district court prosecutes a felony, the maximum sentence allowed by law is two and a half years in the House of Correction.

Attorney Spring accepts both misdemeanor and felony criminal cases.  Some areas of law practiced by Attorney Spring are as follows:

• Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OUI);
• Violent crimes;
• Sex crimes;
• Drug charges;
• Firearms charges; and
• Theft crimes.

Acton criminal defense lawyer Chris Spring is available to answer questions and address your concerns.  Contact Spring & Spring now for professional advice regarding your criminal defense matter regardless of whether you are located in Lexington or Lincoln.